Enhancement of Luminescence in Polymer Nanocomposites

Solid-state luminescence of polymers is currently of theoretical interest as well as for application in electroluminescent diodes. The role of supramolecular structure and morphology on solid-state luminescence of polymers is explored in rod-coil copolymers containing conjugated rods. The photoluminescence quantum efficiency of the rigid-rod homopolymer poly(p-phenylene benzobishthiazole) (PBZT) and the flexible-coil homopolymer poly(benzobisthiazoledecamethylene) (PBTC10) films is observed to be dramatically enhanced in the nanocomposite region. Results are given for the optical absorption spectra, the spectrum of the conjugated homopolymer PBZT, and the photoluminescence quantum efficiency.